NIROOPMABEN J. BHAKTA MEMORIAL FUND

In honour of Niroopma J Bhakta ('Niru'), her family created this fund to celebrate and memorialise her principal goals in life. She passionately believed in the value of education, fairness and culture. Inspired by the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi, she adopted them for community work in India, Africa and England. 

She believed 'education was your passport to the world'.

Working with Plan International, the money donated here will be pledged to their educational project to support adolescent girls back into secondary education. https://plan-international.org/zimbabwe/empowering-girls-zimbabwes-largest-slum# Every £1 donated will be matched by £10 from Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office

£740 could pay for 10 out-of-school girls to join Accelerated Learning Programmes to help them back into formal education

£2000 could provide business skills for 871 girls

Year 1 of this fund (2017) awarded £600 to a 14 year old girl whose winning essay encapsulated the value and importance of education. It was done to inspire a new generation in the Bhakta community. 

Year 2 (2018) we have donated over £2400 (the equivalent of £24,000 when matched by DFID) to Plan International's project.  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/educationforgood

Year 3 we ran Courageous Leaders Event 2019 an all day event to empower women leaders to find the courageous leaders in themselves.  www.courageousleadersevent.com. We raised £11,000 (equivalent of £110,000 with DFID) for the Plan Intl project enabling 130 girls in Zimbabwe to continue their education.  

Year 4 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/courageous-leaders-event-2022-tickets-373877015217 - 31 October 2022 www.courageousleadersevent.com 

About Niroopma J Bhakta

Niru devoted a significant part of her life in service of the community, education, charity and her family. Born in 1937, she was educated in India emigrating after marriage to Zimbabwe. She regularly contributed clothing and food to charities such as the (http://www.jairosjiriassoc.com/) and local impoverished communities.

In the early 80s, she commuted between England and Zimbabwe to lay the foundations for her children’s education in England. She was honoured by the Mayor of Coventry for her community work and contribution to Hindu Society in Coventry. She devoted all her spare time to charitable work for elderly, children, educational advancement and for the well being of the community around her. She faced prejudice, racism, sexism and discrimination throughout her early life and adulthood but never let it deter her from her charitable goals and devotion to community service. This continued throughout the 90s and 00s until her untimely passing in 2016. Her reputation reached the far corners of the earth, from India, New Zealand, USA, UK, Africa. 

She received numerous citations and accolades following her death. The Hindu Society in Zimbabwe, in particular, considers her irreplaceable. “There are few people of Niroopmaben’s respectability and stature.” Niroopmaben generated immense strength amongst those less able to defend themselves, provided valued friendship, and will always be remembered as a caring teacher and a successful businesswoman.

She was referred to as a very Good Samaritan, she had an eye for people in need and was always willing to assist, show kindness and never seeking thanks.